The House of Representatives has indicated it will soon vote on a proposed constitutional amendment designed to improve women’s participation in Nigeria’s political system.

House spokesperson Akin Rotimi revealed this in Abuja during an investiture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, explaining that lawmakers are nearing a crucial stage in the consideration of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

His remarks come as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares political parties for primaries scheduled to begin on April 23, signalling increased political activity ahead of the next election cycle.

Rotimi stressed the need to correct what he described as a severe gender imbalance in governance and commended Abdullahi Sule for encouraging inclusiveness through female appointments in Nasarawa State.

He urged political leaders to do more by supporting the participation of women in elective positions, expressing confidence that Nasarawa lawmakers would back the bill when it is put to a vote in both chambers of the National Assembly.

The proposed legislation, often referred to as the Special Seats Bill, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create additional legislative seats exclusively for women for a temporary period covering four election cycles, equivalent to 16 years.

If approved, the amendment would introduce 37 new seats each in the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with three dedicated seats for women in every State House of Assembly across the 36 states.

The bill has advanced through several legislative stages and continues to receive support from civil society organisations, gender advocates, and human rights groups, who argue that it offers a practical step toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing underrepresentation of women in politics.